Electrostatic processor for ores

ABSTRACT

An ore processor for separation of metal values from sand and pulverized matter such as found in ores and the like in which a tray has a core with a series of compound openings to admit pressurized air therethrough from an air supply source. Multiple layers of air permeable fabric overly the core on the side thereof opposite from the air input, and transverse rods extend across the layers of fabric at spaced intervals. Air passing through the core and fabric results in agitation of ore placed on the tray and results further in the creation of an electrostatic charge on the cloth which serves to attract metal values.

[ Nov. 20, 1973 ELECTROSTATIC PROCESSOR FOR ORES [76] Inventor: ThomasStimpel, 3943 Valley Vista Dr., Camino, Calif. 95709 22 Filed: Oct. 20,1971 21 Appl. No.: 190,987

6/1956 Clint 209/475 9/1968 Tauseron 209/127 R Primary Examiner-RobertHalper Attorney-Robert G. McMorrow [57 ABSTRACT An ore processor forseparation of metal values from sand and pulverized matter such as foundin ores and the like in which a tray has a core with a series ofcompound openings to admit pressurized air therethrough from an airsupply source. Multiple layers of air permeable fabric overly the coreon the side thereof opposite from the air input, and transverse rodsextend across the layers of fabric at spaced intervals. Air passingthrough the core and fabric results in agitation of ore placed on thetray and results further in the creation of an electrostatic charge onthe cloth which serves to attract metal values.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDHUVPOIQB 3 773 174 BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENT Referring to the drawing in more detail, an electro- Thisinvention relates to an ore processor employed static processoraccording to this invention is therein in the separation of metal valuesfrom ores.

2. Statement of the Prior Art Mechanical separation of ores as combinedwith air passage therethrough has been heretofore proposed. A basicpatent on such devices is that issued to Clint on an invention entitledPortable Dry Concentrator For Ores, U. S. Pat. No. 2,752,041. In thatdevice, a tray with cross rods is subjected to the introduction of airvia a series of core units positioned below the rods. Other patenteddevices of this type are represented in the following U. S. Pat. Nos.:71 1,015 Stebbins Oct. 14, 1902; 898,020 Sutton et al. Sept. 8, 1908;1,843,405 Raw Feb. 2, 1932; 2,245,942 Stump June 17, 1941; 2,283,051Fuller May 12, 1942; 2,302,870 Kennedy et a1. Nov. 24, 1942; 2,355,375Herbert Aug. 8, 1944.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides significantlyimproved process of reclamation of metal values from ores even where themetal values are individually found in extremely fine particles. Thisvalue reclamation is a function of the employment of electrostaticprocess attraction of the ore values arising as a result of thefrictional contact of pressurized air streams against layers of cloth.The combined action of electrostatic process attraction and mechanicaland pneumatic agitation and pneumatic'fluid bed removal of unattractedparticles results in extremely high recovery of metal values.

An objective of this invention resides in the provision of a processorwhich serves to differentiate specific metal values at collectionlocations on the tray. To this end, the tray is inclined in use and isprovided with vertically spaced collection locations, illustratively inthe form of cross rods. Because of the differences in specific gravityof metals, the separated ores are collected at different levels at thecollection areas.

The present unit is adapted for operation either by electrical orcombustion motor driven air pump, or by hand bellows. Moreover, theentire unit may be made portable for use at ore gathering site locationsif desired.

Another objective of the inventionrelates to the provision of anassembly as aforesaid wherein the tray section is readily detachable sothat different trays may be substituted where required.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art from a consideration of thefollowing specification when read in conjunction with the annexeddrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofthe electrostatic dry processor device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the processor of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary transverse sectional view taken onthe line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the tray portion of the processon, and

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view through the tray taken on the line55 of FIG. 4.

generally identified by reference numeral 10. The processor 10 includesa supporting frame structure 12 having a rectangular lower frame 14 withforwardly mounted axle bearings 16 carrying a cross axle 18. The

0 frame forward end is supported on ground wheels 20 carried on the axle18, and rear legs 22 to support the aft section of the frame. A pair offorward frame members 24, 26 are pivoted at their lower ends to thelower frame 14 and are clamped in angular adjusted positions by wingnuts 28 and 30, respectively. Each of the forward frame members has anelongated slot 32 therein for adjustment purposes described below.

The aft ends of the lower frame 14 have vertical brackets 34 securedthereon. Elongated rear frame members 36 and 38 are pivotally mounted onsaid brackets. It will be observed in FIG. 1 that the rear frame membersare of substantially greater height than the forward frame members.Extending between and interconnecting the forward and rear frame members24, 36 and 26, 38 are side frame members 40 and 42, respectively. Theside frame members each have an outward, threaded lug 44, 46 whichextend through the slots 32 of the forward members and are engagedoutboard of the members by wing nuts 48 and 50. The side frame membersare secured at their rear portions to the rear frame members on pivots52. Thus, the frame is adapted for variation as to angularity of theside frame members.

Secured between the rear frame members 36 and 38 above the pivots 52 isa hopper 54 having hopper walls 56 which converge toward a substantiallyrectangular lower opening 58. As shown in FIG. I, the hopper is adaptedfor tilting along with the rear frame members.

In those circumstances wherein hand operation is contemplated, a bellowsof the nature shown in the aforesaid patent to Clint may be incorporatedin the present arrangement. In such instances, an operating handle 60 issupplied, and the bellows is retained in closed position by a spring 62which extends from the handle 60 to the upper portion of the hopper.

As shown best in FIG. 3 of the drawing, the side frame members 40 and 42have elongated tray support rails 64 and 66 fixedly secured thereto. Therails each have a leg member 68, '70 and a foot member 72, 74, the footmembers extending inwardly as shown to form ledges to support the tray.A rectangular, open base 76 extends about the frame lower side to definean air space enclosure at the sides and ends of the frame, and a shallowpan 78 is secured thereto by fasteners 80. The pan has an opening 82 ata lower portion thereof, with a depending spout 84.

A source of pressurized air for thepan is required and here comprises animpeller pump assembly 86 of conventional design. The pump is powered bya suitable motor 88 (electrical or combustion) and has a supply hose 90extending therefrom to the spout 84 of the pan.

A component of the invention of particular importance is the processortray assembly 92. The assembly 92 is shown in detail in FIGS. 3 through5 of the drawing and includes an open base 94 with side base members 96,98 a leading base 100 and a downstream member 102 with an engagement lip104. Similarly, the tray includes upper side members 106 and 108 spannedat their upstream ends by a cross piece 110 with an angular face 112.

A core 114 is sandwiched between the base 94 and the members W6 110, thecore having a series of openings 116 formed therein. The openings 116are compound in character, including reduced straight sections H8opening on the side 120 of the core facing the pan 78, and enlarged,concave portions 122 which open on the opposite, upper side 224 of thecore. it will be noted in FIG. 4 that the openings are arranged inhorizontal and vertical rows, and that they are formed to extendsubstantially throughout the full extent of the core.

Overlying the upper face of the core is a plurality of layers of fabricmaterial, here three in number, and including a lower layer 126, anintermediate layer 128, and an outer layer 230. The nature of the fabricand the particular mesh employed is a function of the type of materialto be processed and is subject to wide variation.

The fabric layers are clamped to the core by the base and side membersand by a plurality of transverse rods 132 which extend at spacedintervals between the members 106 and 108. At the downstream end of thetray a flange 134 of inverted L-shape is fixed in place.

The tray assembly is releasably held in place on the frame by swivelmounted clamps 136 and 138 with suitable wing nut fasteners 140, 142. Ashield 2% is provided at the downstream end of the tray between the sideframe members to direct the flow of expelled waste materials.

in operation, pressurized air is introduced into the pan 78 from thepump 86 or by other optional air supply means The air under pressure isthus expelled through the openings 116 of the core and by virtue of theconfiguration of the openings a vortex is created at the face 124 of thecore which introduces the air through the layers of fabric in a swirlingfashion. This frictional contact of the air moving through the fabriclayers results in the formation of an electrostatic charge in theimmediate area of the layers of fabric. Additionally, as in the case ofthe aforesaid Clint patent, the cross rods I32 create riffle barriersextending transversely of the tray. Material containing metal values,such as sand and pulverized ore, is introduced through the hopper 54from which it gravitates onto the tray surface. The movement of airthrough the core, combined with the attraction of the metal values tothe electrostatically charged fabric layers has been found to result ina separation of the metal values from sand and other waste materials andto provide significant recovery of said metal values. As indicatedabove, inclination of the tray structure results in differentiation ofrecovery of the metal values at the area of the respective cross rods132.

I claim:

1. An electrostatic processor for mineral values from mineral containingores with the ores in finely divided, dry condition, the processorcomprising:

a tray support structure including a frame, the frame having side framemembers and forward frame members, the side frame members beingadjustably engaged on the forward frame members to change the angle ofthe side frame members relative to the forward frame members;

the frame being portable and being supported on ground wheels;

a feed hopper for said ores secured to the frame at a location remotefrom the forward frame members;

the side frame members having elongated tray engagement rails securedthereto, said tray engagement rail having vertical leg members andinwardly directed, horizontal foot members;

a substantially rectangular open base secured to the foot members of therails;

a pan secured to said open base and underlying the same, said pan havingan opening therein with a depending spout;

an air supply pump assembly, including an impelier pump and a motortherefor, and having a supply hose extending from said pump and securedto the spout of said pan;

clamp means on said frame to releasably engage a tray assembly in theframe;

a tray assembly mounted in the frame and engaged by said clamp means,the tray assembly including an open base, a core, a plurality of layersof mesh fabric material, outer side rails and a header, and a pluralityof transverse rods extending between said outer side rails over saidlayers of mesh material; and;

a core having a plurality of openings formed therein, the openings beingenlarged on the face of the core adjacent the layers of material wherebyair is expelled from the pan through said openings for propulsionthrough the mesh resulting in an electrostatic charge in the area ofsaid material.

1. An electrostatic processor for mineral values from mineral containingores with the ores in finely divided, dry condition, the processorcomprising: a tray support structure including a frame, the frame havingside frame members and forward frame members, the side frame membersbeing adjustably engaged on the forward frame members to change theangle of the side frame members relative to the forward frame members;the frame being portable and being supported on ground wheels; a feedhopper for said ores secured to the frame at a location remote from theforward frame members; the side frame members having elongated trayengagement rails secured thereto, said tray engagement rail havingvertical leg members and inwardly directed, horizontal foot members; asubstantially rectangular open base secured to the foot members of therails; a pan secured to said open base and underlying the same, said panhaving an opening therein with a depending spout; an air supply pumpassembly, including an impeller pump and a motor therefor, and having asupply hose extending from said pump and secured to the spout of saidpan; clamp means on said frame to releasably engage a tray assembly inthe frame; a tray assembly mounted in the frame and engaged by sAidclamp means, the tray assembly including an open base, a core, aplurality of layers of mesh fabric material, outer side rails and aheader, and a plurality of transverse rods extending between said outerside rails over said layers of mesh material; and; a core having aplurality of openings formed therein, the openings being enlarged on theface of the core adjacent the layers of material whereby air is expelledfrom the pan through said openings for propulsion through the meshresulting in an electrostatic charge in the area of said material.